Category: Odds ‘n Sods

You gotta love Idaho: It has been proposed that every household in Greenleaf, Idaho have a firearm as part of a larger emergency preparedness requirements. Sounds good to me.    o o o Moriaty told me about a great site with articles and essays on Renaissance weapons.    o o o John the Bowhunter mentioned this amazing series of posts over at Archery Talk: A youngster has taken 77 big game animals with a 42 pound bow. With that bow he got penetration “to the feathers.” Notice the picture of the boy next to pro-gun and pro-archery rock-n-roll legend Ted …

Frequent content contributor Jim K. send a link to an article in New Scientist about “microdiesel”–a genetically modified bacteria that can churn out biodiesel. It looks very promising. Jim K. notes: “If this takes off, it will be a huge jump in the potential for energy independence. Note that it doesn’t require plant oils, instead using the large amount of plant waste that is a byproduct of all farming. It also cuts out the need for toxic chemicals that are used in biodiesel production, which is great both environmentally and financially. This is the first bit of good news I’ve …

MurrDoc mentioned that some very durable and water tight 25mm cannon ammo cans are back in stock at Sportsman’s Guide at what he called a “not-too-bad price.” See: Item JX – 6M106293 described in their catalog as a “25 mm cannon Shell Case” $11.97 each plus shipping.    o o o From The Australian: Modern Cities are More Vulnerable Than Old. (Many thanks to Felix for sending the link to this thought-provoking article.)    o o o Front Sight has just posted their 2007 training class calendar. I highly recommend the training there. The Memsahib and I have both trained …

In response to the recent posts about off-road capable campers, Doc at www.bigsecrets.cc mentioned some very well made utility trailers, ATV trailers, and camper trailers–all in the same unit. He highly recommends them.    o o o Economist Dr. Gary North comments on the debt burden for the next generation. Sobering stuff.    o o o Once again, BATFE agents have re-interpreted both their agency’s standing rules and Federal law, as it suits their fancy. This time a field agent decided that a rifle parts kit, less a receiver, constitutes a “firearm.”

Reader Jim K. sent this one: A bright kid put together his own flamethrower. Jim K. says “…and it seems to work like a charm.” My comment: If this could be done safely, it would be just the ticket for weed control. But where are the safety precautions? Where is the obligatory head-to-toe silver fire suit with hood and face mask? Where are his buddies standing by with fire extinguishers? Do not attempt this at home!    o o o Steve Quayle on Ammo Shortages and Price Increases    o o o Reader “Desert T” mentioned that there was an …

My old friend Fred the Valmet-meister mentioned that the price of uranium ore has gone up from $7 a pound to $52 in just five years. Not a bad return.    o o o Reader Jim K. sent a fun link, showing a katana slicing a 9mm round in two!    o o o The source on this story is dubious at best, but it is nonetheless worrisome. (Six different readers forwarded me the same link.) Of course most SurvivalBlog readers are well prepared. But if you don’t yet have fallout detection and protection for your family squared away, it …

U.S. home foreclosures are surging. The ARM twisting is just beginning.    o o o Bruce from Best Prices Storable Foods mentioned this chilling article on his web site (originally from WorldNetDaily): Al Qaeda may have preposition several nukes in the United States.    o o o Pope Benedict XVI came under a hail of criticism from the Islamic world Friday for comments he made earlier in the week regarding the Prophet Mohammed and the Muslim faith, provoking street protests in some cities.

Rourke suggested that I volunteer to go on the Oprah Winfrey TV talk show, shortly after the new TV series Jericho airs (September 20th), and discuss the show and the preparedness of American families. (I intend to point our relative lack of preparedness, and recommend that folks get squared away.) I’d greatly appreciate it if SurvivalBlog readers would take a couple of minutes to visit the Oprah show producers’ topic suggestion web page, and recommend this topic. Thanks!    o o o Jeremy mentioned this recent anti-survivalist post from one voice in the Peak Oil camp. I think that this …

Now this looks at least quasi-practical: The Earthroamer XV Diesel Off-Road RV. (A tip of the hat to David H. for sending us the link.) Readers will note that I do not like the idea of “mobile retreating” as a post-TEOTWAWKI long term survival strategy., but is could practical a s a short term tactic. (See my August 10, 2005 post on “Vehicular Retreating”, for details.) With that said, I think that The Earthroamer might make a great Get Out of Dodge vehicle, as well as a great camping vehicle for more peaceful times.    o o o Vic at …

The Memsahib mentioned something interesting that she stumbled across when reading some ancient history: The ancient Schythians, when traveling, would kill wild cattle for food, or slaughter one of their own cattle herd. They would strip the carcass, use the rib cage as impromptu firepit grill and the stomach stuffed full of beef as a cooking container.    o o o SurvivalBlog reader Rob a.k.a. (“Salsafix”) is the editor of the excellent Surviving the Crash blog. He recently penned a list pairing great depression era quotes with modern day bubble quotes. (See his September 12 posts.) He quipped “I’m not …

The online magazine Slate recently featured a piece on surviving a terrorist nuclear attack.    o o o The price of oil has sagged, (down to $66 per barrel!), dragging gold and silver down a bit. So this dip might be a great time to buy metals if you have been dragging your feet. I’m still predicting substantially higher silver and gold prices before December.    o o o We’ve been driving a lot of back roads in recent days, looking for property on behalf of a consulting client. Yesterday, we drove past a ranch that had set up a …

I was told that Ready Made Resources (one of our most loyal advertisers) has just received a large shipment of U.S. Army surplus battle dressings. These are typical Carlisle type dressings, but in the latest mil spec packaging. (Very tough and waterproof.) The size is 8″ x 7-1/2″ They are marked “Dressing, First Aid, Field, Camouflage” and were manufactured by Ellwyn, Inc. (“Red color indicates back of dressing, put other side next to wound….”) NSN 6510-00-201-7430. They will have about 500 available and will be selling them for just $2.50 each. Buy a bunch!    o o o Rourke flagged …

While on the road yesterday we were traveling though horse country. Every little herd seemed to have at lest one Paint or Appaloosa. I think that what we were witnessing was the collective maneuvering of umpteen rancher’s daughters. Obviously they all convinced daddy of their fond desires.    o o o Today we are looking ar some real estate on behalf of a consulting client. The criteria list is extensive. In this case we are looking for a remote property that is well off any expected refugee lines of drift. The property must be at least five acres and it …

Reader M.M. mentioned this scary news article from England: Six Years of Below Average Harvests, Globally. He commented: “Harvests are less than the population eats for the sixth straight year and the warehoused surplus is almost gone. Famine or serious and aggressive agriculture are the two potential outcomes. If it goes like it has for the oil, the free food is over and the price of food will be bid up until demand is destroyed, such as a poor country doesn’t get its shipments. And that is that for them…” Meanwhile, reader Ben L. sent this corroborating piece from Rense.com. …

The bidding is now up to $125 in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction for a copy “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course. The course was kindly donated by Jake Stafford of Arbogast Publishing. Please submit your bids via e-mail. This auction ends on September 15th.    o o o An international climate panel revises global warming forecast: climate change now thought to be less severe.    o o o Reader S.F. in Hawaii e-mailed us: “The other day I received some bank notes (Marks) that I had ordered from a collector. These were from the Weimar Republic dating 1917 to 1923. …